Lucid April 2016 Newsletter
Software Updates
Fact Sheet Fusion v2.0.4.930 released
A new update to Fact Sheet fusion has just been released. New
features include global HTML clean functions for Topic text,
Media captions and Glossary Terms.For more information on Fact Sheet Fusion click here.
To purchase Fact Sheet Fusion click here.
Lucid
v3.5 updated
Lucid v3.5 has been updated (build 3.5.30 04272016). This update includes minor bug
fixes and enhancements to the deployment process to conform
with Java Runtime changes. The Lucid v3.5 Player applet now
conforms to the Java Web Start technology and will allow
Chrome browser users to launch keys.To obtain the latest Lucid v3.5 visit the Lucidcentral.org downloads page.
To purchase Lucid v3.5 click here.
Note: The setup package for the trial edition of Lucid v3.5 has also been updated.
Lucid Key Server
A number of updates and enhancements have been added to the
Lucid Key Server. The ‘Prune Redundants’ feature has now been
implemented, including the option for auto pruning. Users can now also select their preferred window mode. Normally the Lucid Key Server Player shows four windows (Features Available, Features Chosen, Entities Remaining and Entities Discarded). You can now launch the Key Server Player with your preferred combination of windows. For example, just Features Available and Entities Remaining, or Features Available, Entities Available and Entities Discarded etc.
If your organisation already owns a licence for the Lucid Key Server, you can download this update from the Lucidcentral.org downloads page.
Or you can purchase the Lucid Key Server here.
Euclid
– Eucalypts of Australia - USB Edition
This very popular key developed by the Centre for Plant
Biodiversity Research, Australian National Herbarium, Canberra
has had its setup package updated to conform with the latest
Java Runtime Environment (JRE) security changes. This update
is available via CSIRO
Publishing help desk.Note: This update only applies to the Java based edition of Euclid, not the Windows only edition.
Upcoming Lucid Workshops
Brisbane July 21st-22nd 2016
A two-day training course for Lucid will be held in
Brisbane, Australia at the university of Queensland, July
21st-22nd 2016.
The course will focus on Lucid v3.5 and key construction. It will also cover preparing key media and materials along with deployment options such as the Lucid mobile platform. Fact Sheet Fusion will also be covered.
You can book and secure your place now for the
Brisbane workshop. The cost of the workshop is $650.00 ex
GST.
Mexico & Brazil Workshops November 2016
More details coming soon. Register your interest, if you
haven’t already done so!
https://www.lucidcentral.org/en-us/software/training.aspx
Note: Workshop participants are entitled to 50%
discount on Lucid and Fact Sheet Fusion.
Spotlight on Lucid users – MyCrop Diagnostic keys
Introduction
When Lucid
was first developed almost 20 years ago, the main focus was
on capturing the expertise of taxonomists to develop
Lucid-based, interactive identification tools for a range of
different organisms and users. More recently, the range of
applications of Lucid has broadened. In particular,
agronomists and plant protection experts have been using
Lucid to develop diagnostic tools for use by advisors and
farmers to help determine the cause of crop disorders and
what to do about them.
The MyCrop (https://www.agric.wa.gov.au/mycrop)
team within the Western Australian Department of Agriculture
and Food has developed a series of interactive tools to
bring "crop diagnostics to the paddock".
Currently, with funds from the Grains Research and
Development Corporation, online diagnostic tools and apps
for Android and Apple smartphones and tablets have been
developed for wheat, barley, canola, lupin, and field pea
crops. A Lucid-based tool, MySoil, is also available to help
growers identify the soil type on their farm and to access
information about important soil issues.
Here a sequence of screen shots from the Wheat app shows the steps involved in a diagnostic session:
| Selection of
clues |
Summary
screen |
Remaining constraints |
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
| Glyphosate damage | Damage image | Reporting screen | |
As well as providing a diagnostic
tool to identify production constraints, the MyCrop apps
also provide detailed fact sheets about each constraint,
including management options and where to access further
information. The apps also include other tools. For
instance, the Wheat app includes a Variety Selector that
helps growers choose appropriate varieties for their Agzone
and desired yield and disease risk trait. A Crop Check and
Economic calculator tool are also available.
To help first-time users, the MyCrop team have recently
developed a tutorial that demonstrates the main features of
the Diagnostic key. They have done this by using the key to
address a real-life problem. You can access the tutorial
here (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rN9OduqDzzM)
Since being released a year or so ago, there have been a
total of over 1,500 downloads of both Android and iOS
versions of the wheat app.
OTHER ITEMS
New Keys
It seems like it has been a busy period for key authors since
our last newsletter. There have been a number of new keys and
apps posted.Several keys have been posted by Chris Hollister and Kevin Thiele
Key to the Goodeniaceae of Western Australia
Authors: Chris Hollister and Kevin Thiele
URL: https://keys.lucidcentral.org/keys/v3/Goodeniaceae/
Key to Lamiaceae of Western Australia
Authors: Chris Hollister and Kevin Thiele
URL: https://keys.lucidcentral.org/keys/v3/Lamiaceae/
With more coming soon…
Larval Fish and Egg keys
Identification of freshwater fish based on characteristics of
egg, yolk sac larvae, and/or larvae.URL: https://www.larvalfishid.com/home/keys.html
Environmental Weeds of Australia – Special Edition for
Queensland Biosecurity
This key has been updated with over 40 new species and image
coverage for an additional 114 species. URL: https://www.business.qld.gov.au/industry/agriculture/land-management/health-pests-weeds-diseases/weeds-and-diseases/weed-identification-tool
Lucid Mobile apps
Plants and Fungi of South West New South Wales
The app includes around 1,100 species, accompanied by over
3,000 images.Author: Betty Wood
Available for Android and iOS
Key Server edition
Scarab and Stag Beetles of Hawaii and the Pacific App –
Now available!
This key will allow you to easily identify adult and immature
scarab beetles including established pest species and
potential new invasive scarab species. The scarab and stag
beetle fauna of Hawaii is of global origin, with non-native
species hailing from Australia, Africa, North America, Asia,
and Europe. Only five stag beetles are native to Hawaii, and
these are greatly in need of conservation and study.ITP collaborator: Wichita State University
Authors: Joshua B. Dunlap, Mary Liz Jameson, Emmy L. Engasser, Paul E. Skelley, and Amanda J. Redford
Identification Technology Program - APHIS/USDA
Website: https://idtools.org/id/beetles/scarab/index.php
Available on Android and iOS
Pacific Pests and Pathogens v3
Now updated to include 270 fact sheets. This app now also
sports the new Lucid Mobile features such as the content
search engine and ability to share fact sheets.Authors: Grahame Jackson et al.
Funded by: ACIAR, the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research
Available on Android and iOS
Diagnosis of Oral Ulceration
Diagnostic key developed by Laurie Walsh - UQ School of
Dentistry & Alex Forrest - Griffith University.
As far as we are aware, this app is the first application of Lucid to help diagnose the possible causes of human medical symptoms. We would be interested to hear of any other current or planned projects using Lucid to develop human or veterinary diagnostic tools.
Available on Android and iOS
Grasshoppers of the Western US - Updated
Available for Android and iOS has been recently updated.
Developed by the Identification Technology
Program in APHIS/USDA, in collaboration with Chadron State
College, University of Nebraska, Colorado State University,
and Colorado State Plant Health Director’s Office.
To access this and other ITP Lucid Mobile apps, click on the following links.
USDA APHIS @ iTunes App Store
ITP @ Google Play Store
MyCrop Diagnostic Apps
As outlined in our Spotlight story several of the MyCrop
diagnostic apps on Wheat, Barley, Canola, and Pulses have been
updated. Oats coming soon!
These apps are available on Android and iOS.